43
Sputtering power play has Phantoms gasping
Photo
William D. Lewis|The Vindicator Phantom's Ryan Belonger and Andrew Welinski of Green Bay go for the puck during 1 rst period action Friday at the Covelli.
By Tom Williams
YOUNGSTOWN
There’s nothing more that could help the Youngstown Phantoms snap their eight-game losing streak than a power-play goal or two.
Especially two.
To chase the streak, the Phantoms need goals and their work of late with the man-advantage has been frustrating. In last weekend’s losses to the Sioux City Musketeers, the Sioux Falls Stampede and Waterloo Blackhawks, the Phantoms scored one goal in 25 opportunities.
On the season, the Phantoms have eight man-advantage goals in 82 opportunities.
“Guys are squeezing their sticks a little right now,” Phantoms coach Curtis Carr said of his team’s slump. “When you’re not scoring, the power play tends to stress a little more than usual.”
In Sunday’s 5-2 loss to the Musketeers, the Phantoms were scoreless in eight opportunities with the extra skater.
In last Saturday’s 8-4 loss to the Stampede, Cody Strang scored a power-play goal on assists from Jiri Sekac and Ryan Belonger to slice the Sioux Falls lead to 4-2 in the third period.
But they failed to connect on their other six extra-man chances.
“We played a good 30 [minutes],” said Carr of the loss to the Stampede. “When you are losing games you tend to stress and that stress contributed to some of our mistakes. We scored some late goals but we need to be better, plain and simple.”
The road trip began with a miserable 0-for-10 power-play performance against the Blackhawks. Second-period breakdowns were factors in all three losses as the Phantoms were outscored 8-1 in those middle frames.
“We need to weather the storm right now and continue playing hard,” Carr said.
In five games, the Phantoms have failed to convert on any power play. Only once, in the Oct. 2 win at Chicago, have the Phantoms scored two power-play goals. Those came in a 2-1 victory over the Steel.
This weekend’s schedule is a bit less intense as the Phantoms have just one game. Saturday at 7:05 p.m., the Phantoms (4-8-1, 9 points) will be in Indianapolis to play the Indiana Ice (4-5-1, 9 points).
The Phantoms and Ice are tied for sixth place in the USHL’s Eastern Division, two points ahead of Team USA. Neither team plays tonight and should be rested for the contest.
Despite the sluggish start, the Phantoms are aware of some promising signs. They remain just five points behind first-place Cedar Rapids (7-2-0, 14 points).
Forward Ty Loney, who has missed six straight games, is expected to be healthy enough to play soon. In seven games, Loney has four goals and an assist.
Newcomer Andrew Sinelli recorded a goal and an assist in his first three games since being traded to the Phantoms.
In 13 games, Quinn Smith has seven points, including five scored in the past four games. On the other hand, the Phantoms are third in the league in total penalty minutes with 256 minutes. They’ve allowed 14 goals on 85 power plays by opponents.
The Phantoms’ next home games at the Covelli Centre will be on Nov. 19 against the Omaha Lancers and on Nov. 20 against the Dubuque Fighting Saints.